Drain board tilting mechanism



Feb. 2, 1937. N 2,069,649

DRAIN BOARD TILTING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 22, 1933 l ir- 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATT'YAEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 V. E. DUNN DRAIN BOARD TILTING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 22, 1933 Feb. 2, 1937.

I NVENTEI'FL y ATTYE- Patented Feb. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention has reference to a device for shifting or tilting the drain board of a wringer, more particularly to a device for the purpose described which accomplishes its purpose by means of movement of the drive shaft relative to the driven wringer roll shaft as will be described.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple positive automatic means for tilting a drain board to deflect water toward the side of the wringer from which garments are being fed.

Another object is to provide a movable coupling between the drive shaft of a wringer mechanism and the driven shaft of a wringer roll, the movement of which is adapted to bring about the de- 5 scribed movement of the drain board.

Still another object lies in the provision of means whereby initial rotation of the drive shaft brings about movement of mechanism to tilt the drain board in accordance with the rotational di- 29 rection of the shaft and continued rotation brings about rotation of the wringer rolls and positively retains the drain board in tilted position.

Other objects will appear in the following description and accompanying drawings, in which-- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a wringer and support showing disposal of my device therebetween;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental side elevational, sectional view showing details of my mechanism to be de- 30 scribed;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental end elevational view taken from line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view taken from line 44 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental plan View taken from line 5-5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmental side elevational sectional view showing details of a modified form of my device;

Fig. 7 is a fragmental end elevational view taken from line '|--'l in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmental plan View taken from line 8-8 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing certain 45 parts in operated position as will be described;

and

Fig. 10 is an underside view taken from line ||l-|U in Fig. 9, showing parts in operated position as will be described.

Referring to Fig. 1, my device is shown as disposed in a casing in, located between a driving head I and a conventional wringer mechanism l2.

A drain board I3 is suitably disposed in the wringer frame below the lower wringer roll I4.

The drain board is pivotally supported at either end on the wringer frame at l5 generally indicated in Fig. 1 and shown at one end in detail in Figs. 2 and 3.

An extension member I6 is secured to the drain board at a point below the pivot I5, as shown in Fig. 2, and is engaged by forked ends of oppositely disposed bell crank levers l1 and I8. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, levers l! and I8 are pivotally supported at l9 and upon the supporting frame structure at either side of the power drive shaft 2| and the lower wringer roll shaft 22.

A coupling member 23 connects the drive shaft 2| and roll shaft 22. Shaft 2| has oppositely flattened sides as shown in Fig. 3, and extends Within a suitably formed opening in one end of the coupling member as indicated in Fig. 2. A flattened end of roll shaft 22 extends within a complemental opening in the opposite end of the coupling as shown in Fig. 2.

The opening in that portion of the coupling occupied by shaft 2| is so fashioned as to permit limited rotation of the shaft in the coupling as indicated in Fig. 3, while that occupied by the shaft 22 has only sufficient clearance to permit a free driving connection.

Coupling 23 is provided with openings 24 and 25 disposed in offset relationship in the coupling, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, and in such position that their centers lie approximately tangent to the circular periphery of shaft 2|.

The openings extend in full diameter from opposite sides of the coupler to a point adjacent the opposite sides thereof, at which point the openings are contracted to a substantially small diameter, whereby inwardly directed shoulders, as at 26 in Fig. 3, are formed.

Within opposite ends of the openings are disposed plunger members 21 and 28 provided with head portions 29, Fig. 4, and smaller body portions 30 adapted to slidably move in the contracted portion of the openings.

Coil springs 3| disposed between the heads of the plungers and the shoulders of the opening normally urge the plungers inwardly to withdraw the portions 39 to a position wholly within the coupling as at 32 in Fig. 3. I

It will be noted that plungers 21 and 28 are so disposed in the coupling that their heads may be engaged by the extending end of drive shaft 2|.

With the foregoing in mind, it will be apparent that initial rotation of the drive shaft in the direction shown by arrows in Figs. 3 and 4 will rotate the same in the coupling, within the limits provided by the opening therein, which movement will engage the shaft with the head plunger 29 to propel the same to an extending position as in Fig. 4. Continued rotation of the drive shaft brings about rotation of the coupling, together with the wringer roll, whereby the extending plunger is eventually rotated to a position to engage the extending end 33 of lever l8, whereby the lever is rotated upon its pivot 20 to an extent suflicient to swing the extension it, together with drain board I 3, to the tilted position shown in Fig. 3.

Obviously, reversed rotation of the drive shaft will bring about withdrawal of plunger 21 and projection of plunger 28 to engage the opposite lever I! with corresponding movement thereof to swing the drain board to the opposite position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

Since the coupling tends to remain stationary with the wringer roll, the drive shaft 2|, before it can have driving effect upon the roll, must first rotate sufiiciently to take up the slack provided by the enlarged opening in the coupling and this initial movement operates, as already described, to position a corresponding plunger to suitably operate the drain board.

Inasmuch as the full driving power of the drive shaft is exerted against the plungers as well as against the sides of the opening it occupies, considerable power is available to force the movement of levers l1 and iii to bring about positive and substantially immediate movement of the drain board.

In Figs. 6 to 10, I show a modification of the mechanism just described, wherein the principle of operating the drain board by means of slack or initial non-driving rotation of the drive shaft to operate the drain board mechanism is identical with that described, but wherein the mechanism used for bringing about the said operation is modified.

Fig. 6 illustrates a portion of a wringer mechanism including a roll I 4 with its shaft 22, a drive shaft 2| and a drain board l3 pivotally supported at l5, all of the above being similar to the formerly described wringer mechanism.

Drain board I3 is provided at the end shown with an opening 34 disposed above the pivot l5.

Loosely fitted in opening 34 is an extending end 35 of an angulated lever member 36, best shown in Fig. 10, which is pivotally mounted in an offset manner at 37 upon the wringer frame structure.

At the elbow of lever 36 is secured an upstanding stud portion 38 so proportioned as to be slidably engaged in a continuous groove 39 of a coupler member 40.

Coupler 40 has a central circular opening extending a substantial portion of its length by means of which the coupler is slidably and rotatably mounted upon the end of drive shaft 2|.

As viewed in Fig. 6, the right hand end of the coupling is provided with an oblong opening adapting it to slidably receive the flattened end of wringer shaft 22.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 9, the coupling is provided with aslot 4! disposed angularly relative to its plane of rotation. Slidably fitted within the slot, and secured to shaft 2! is a stud member 42.

With the foregoing in mind, it will be apparent that rotation of shaft 2| Within the coupler, and movement of stud 42 in slot 40 will result in axial movement of the coupler upon the shaft whereby, through movement of groove 39, stud 38 will be moved to rotate lever 36 upon its pivot 37 to swing the end 35 thereof, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10, to tilt drain board l3 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7.

As in the formerly described case, resistance of the wringer roll shaft to initial rotation operates to hold the coupler rotationally stationary during initial rotary movement of the drive shaft. During this movement the stud 42 moves in slot ll to slide the coupler in one axial direction or the other, in accordance with the direction of rotation of the drive shaft, to bring about tilting movement of the drain board as described to- Ward the proper side of the wringer. Continued rotation of the drive shaft eventually places stud 42 in contact with the end of slot 4!, whereby driving connection is established between the shaft and coupling to bring about working rotation of the wringer roll.

By the means described the drain board is automatically positioned before beginning of rotation of the wringer roll and is thereafter positively retained in tilted position.

It is to be noted that While my invention is herein shown and described as having the coupling member movable relative to the drive shaft and actuated by means of said movement, the relationship between the drive and wringer shafts and coupling may be reversed without alteration of principle or function.

For example, in the case of the first described arrangement, the flattened end of wringer roll shaft 22 may be extended, the drive shaft 2! shortened, and the coupling reversed and the associated parts so arranged as to make the de- K vice operative as described.

In the case of the modified arrangement, the wringer roll shaft 22 may be made circular and lengthened sufficiently to include pin 12, the drive shaft 2| may be shortened and flattened, the pin 42 secured in the wringer shaft and the openings in the coupling reversed. By this means the device may be made to operate exactly as formerly described.

I do not Wish to be limited in principle or ap plication of this invention except within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the class described having in combination a drive shaft, a wringer roll shaft, a coupling member operatively connecting said shafts, one of said shafts being limitedly movable relative thereto, a tiltable drain board and mechanism co-operative between the same and one of the shafts to tilt the drain board when the latter shaft is moved relative to the coupling.

2. A drain board tilting mechanism comprising a tiltable drain board, a driving shaft, a wringer roll shaft, a coupling member connecting said shafts, one of said shafts being limitedly movable relative to said coupling, mechanism carried by the couplingco-operative with a shaft when the same is moved relative to the coupling to engage and move mechanism having connection with said drain board to tilt the latter.

3. A device of the class described comprising a tiltable drain board, a drive shaft, a wringer roll shaft, a coupling member operatively joining said shafts, the drive shaft being slightly initially rotatable within said coupling, means tending to hold the coupling rotatively stationary While the drive shaft accomplishes said initial rotation, and mechanism operated by the drive shaft during the initial rotation having operative connection with the drain board to tilt the same.

4. A device of the class described comprising a.

tiltable drain board, a drive shaft, a wringer roll shaft, a coupling member operatively joining said shafts, the coupling being slightly initially rotatable upon the wringer roll shaft, means for bringing about said initial rotation of the coupling, and mechanism operated by the wringer roll shaft during said rotation to tilt the drain board.

5. A device of the class described comprising a coupling member adapted to connect the driving and driven shafts 'of a wringer mechanism, the driving shaft being movable relative to the coupling and cap-able of moving the same in unison therewith, mechanism connecting the coupling with a tiltable drain board disposed below said shafts, and means whereby when the drive shaft is moved relative to the coupling the coupling is moved to operate the drain board connecting mechanism to tilt the drain board.

6. A device of the class described comprising a tiltable drain board, a drive shaft, a wringer roll shaft, a coupling member operatively joining said shafts, mechanism for tilting the drain board, mechanism carried by said coupling co-operating with the drain board mechanism to operate the same and means for operating the mechanism carried by the coupling to cause it to co-operate with the drain board mechanism comprising a portion of one of said shafts.

'7. A drain board tilting mechanism having in combination a tiltable drain board, a driving shaft, a wringer roll shaft, a coupling member connecting said shafts, the same having an opening adapted to receive one of said shafts in a manner to permit slight rotation thereof in the coupling, dual cavities disposed crosswise of the coupling intersecting said opening, plunger .mechanisms disposed in the cavities normally Withdrawn thereinto but engageable by a portion of the shaft when the same is rotated within the opening to project the same outwardly therefrom, oppositely disposed lever members each pivotally supported in position to be engaged by one of said plungers when the same is projected as described, said levers being connected with an offset portion of said drain board whereby movement of the levers brings about tilting movement of the drain board in a direction in accordance with rotational direction of the drive shaft.

8. A device of the class described comprising a tiltable drain board, mechanism for tilting the same, a drive shaft, a wringer roll shaft, a coupling member connecting said shafts, the same being rotatively and axially movable upon one of said shafts, means connecting one of the shafts and coupling operable to move the coupling axially upon initial rotation of the drive shaft and mechanism connecting the coupling with the drain board mechanism whereby axial movement of the coupling brings about tilting movement of the drain board.

9. In a device of the class described, means for tilting a drain board responsively to rotation of a driving shaft including a tiltable drain board, a driving shaft, a wringer roll shaft, a coupling member connecting said shafts, movable connection between said coupling and one of the shafts, mechanism connecting said coupling and one of the shafts with said drain board to tilt the same, said movable connection adapted to permit the drive shaft to operate the drain board tilting mechanism independently of its driving relationship with the wringer roll.

10. A device of the class described having in combination a drive shaft, a wringer roll shaft, a coupling member operatively connecting said shafts, the drive shaft being rotatively movable relative to the coupling, the coupling being laterally movable upon the drive shaft, a pin secured upon the drive shaft movably disposed within a slot formed in the coupling, said slot being disposed angularly relative to the plane of rotation of the coupling whereby when the coupling is held rotatively stationary, initial rotative movement of the drive shaft will move said pin within said slot to bring about said lateral movement of the coupling, a tiltable drain board disposed below the wringer roll shaft and mechanism connecting said board with the coupling in such a manner that the described lateral movement of the coupling accomplishes tilting movement of the board.

11. A device of the class described having in combination a drive shaft, a wringer roll shaft, a coupling member operatively connecting said shafts, the coupling being rotatively and laterally movable relative to the wringer roll shaft, a pin secured upon the roll shaft movably disposed within a slot formed in the coupling, said slot being disposed angularly relative to the plane of rotation of the coupling whereby when the coupling is initially rotated upon the roll shaft the slot is moved relative to the pin to bring about lateral movement of the coupling upon the roll shaft, a tiltable drain board disposed below the roll shaft and mechanism connecting said board with the coupling in such a manner that the described lateral movement of the coupling produces tilting movement of the board.

12. A device of the class described comprising a coupling member adapted to connect the driving and driven shafts of a wringer mechanism, the coupling being mounted on said shafts in such a manner that one of said shafts is capable of limited movement with respect to the coupling,

and mechanism connecting the coupling with a tiltable drain board disposed below said shafts in such a manner that said limited movement of the shaft brings about tilting movement of the drain board.

VERNON E. DUNN. 

